Washington Twp. and Bally extend current contract
 

            Washington Township Board of Supervisors hoped to divest itself of its water authority (WTMA water), to Bally Borough in the coming months.  Bally and Washington Township have a contract for water that is up for renewal in September, 2018. 

            Currently, Bally provides water to 108 residents in Victoria Village, located in Washington Township.  The township administers how the water is distributed. 

            Last Thursday, the Supervisors held a water authority meeting prior to the regular Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss Bally's request to extend the water contract for 1 year.  The delay will give Bally time to decide how its wants to handle a potential acquisition of Washington Township's water authority. 

            Township Manager, Richard Sichler, noted Bally is interested in the township's water system, but " not yet."  Washington Township residents who use Bally's water pay a slightly lower fee than Bally residents.  If Bally gains control of the water distribution in Washington Township, Bally would require all water users to pay the same rate. 

            Township Chairman Dave Moyer explained the township is "not allowed to make money from the sale of water."  He said, "Washington Township is the middleman for Bally's water supply to Victoria Village."  The Board of Supervisors agreed to extend the water contract with Bally for approximately one more year.  The terms of the contract will remain essentially the same.  

            Because of heavy rain, Township Engineer, John Weber, LTL Consultants, requested the Board of Supervisors grant an extension to Asphalt Paving from August 15th to August 25th.  The township plans a full depth reclamation of Lenape Road.  Portions of Haight and Deer Run Roads will be repaved, as well.  

            Township Engineer Weber announced the township's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit will be filed by October 2, 2018.  The cost of the permit is $14,000. 

            The MS4 permit is a federal regulation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that mandates each municipality have a plan on how to reduce pollution into its storm water system.  Part of the MS4 permit requires each municipality educate the public about water pollution.

            Township Sewer Engineer, Brian Brochon of Gilmore Associates, informed the Supervisors that a "corrective action plan" was filed with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) concerning inflow and infiltration  (I and I ) into the Weinstager Sewer Pump Station. 

            Inflow and infiltration are ways that groundwater and storm water runoff enter into municipal sanitary sewer systems.  Improper or broken connections to the sewer system permit water into the sewer system.  Brochon noted he will look for the source of rain water that flows into the sewer pump station. 

            Brochon said he will focus on the water shed near the pump station.  If after his investigation a faulty lateral sewer line from private property is the cause of the problem, the township will send a letter to the property owner to request the lateral line be repaired.  Lateral sewer lines on private property that are broken are the responsibility of the property owner to fix.  

            In other matters, a resident near the Grandview Speedway Race Track complained about noise from the track after midnight.  The Board of Supervisors explained the races begin at 7 p.m. and are over by 12 a.m.  Chairman Moyer noted, "The owners of the track are respectable people who are cautious how they run race times."  Moyer added that several years ago the township checked the noise that emanated from the racetrack and found it to be within acceptable limits.  

            Charles Lawrence who lives on Crow Hill Road requested the township monitor speeding on his street.  Chairman Moyer told Lawrence the township is considering renting or borrowing from a neighboring municipality, a sign that monitors vehicle speed.  Moyer said, "We have not forgotten you." 

            The next Washington Township Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Thursday, August 23, 2018 at 7 p.m.